MX Experience Needed for Snowbike?

[john6719]

Does MX experience help when crossing over to a snowbike from a snowmobile or are they different enough that it is a learning curve regardless?

Definitely looking at going the snowbike route in the next year or two when I get more time to ride. My work situation has me a little further from snow than I'd like right now (2,000+ miles) so I'm looking at picking up a new hobby to keep me fresh for snowmobiling and possibly help my riding. I have basically zero experience on a bike, but have been thinking maybe it is worth jumping into. I guess I'm looking for someone to convince me that buying a dirt bike now and getting track time will help me feel more comfortable on a snowbike in the future...or improve my riding ability on it and the snowmobile.

Riding style: I've become strictly a mountain rider, no more ditch banging in the crappy MN snow. Usually ride West Yellowstone or Cooke, but did hit up Vail and some surrounding areas recently. Mostly just trees, side hilling, and exploring trying to get into places that nobody else has/can. I'm far from a pro, but I ride with a couple really solid riders so get pushed hard every trip--which is what makes it so damn much fun for me.

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[dooman92]

John, prior bike time is helpful but certainly not mandatory. There is a bit of a learning curve compared to a sled and prior bike experience helps but you will learn quite quickly. My son has never even sat on a motorcycle and after about a half an hour on my snowbike he did not want to trade back to the sled.

Don't let lack of bike experience deter you.. Good luck

 

[backcountryislife]

I've got a little trail bike experience but am a relatively high level sledder, in a couple hours I was doing things on a bike that I can't do on a sled.

I'm sure bike time helps, but I'm not sure that what we do on trails really relates in any way to this.

 

[M5-]

Even if you never get a track kit a dirt bike is an awesome toy, everybody needs one for summer, you can't go wrong getting a bike and any seat time in the summer won't hurt you come winter.

M5

 

[Rush44]

I think snowmobilers who've never rode bikes have an easier time transitioning than moto guys who've never ridden a snowmobile. That snow knowledge really helps on the initial learning curve.... which is pretty minimal no matter who you are.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

I think snowmobilers who've never rode bikes have an easier time transitioning than moto guys who've never ridden a snowmobile. That snow knowledge really helps on the initial learning curve.... which is pretty minimal no matter who you are.

Amen. Aside from knowing how to drive something with a clutch/gearbox the knowing how to read snow and how its going to react is a bigger deal then anything.

snow is funny stuff. takes a second to figure out.

 

[mountainhorse]

Before Allen Mangum (owner of Tiimbersled) did his snowbike creation... he had Zero bikes in his garage...

He doesn't even put the tires on his bikes in the summer.

Safe to say, no, you don't need to be an MX'r.... but knowing how to use a clutch and shift is definitely a plus.



.

 

[sidehillsam]

Dirt Bike Experience Required?

NO, absolutely not! My best snowmobiling friend did zero dirt biking and absolutely loves snowbiking. But you need to have snowmobiled to really appreciate snowbiking.

 

[backcountryislife]

NO, absolutely not! My best snowmobiling friend did zero dirt biking and absolutely loves snowbiking. But you need to have snowmobiled to really appreciate snowbiking.

bah... I'd say all you need is an appreciation of things that are awesome to appreciate snowbiking

 

[chumbilly1]

I agree with M5 dirtbikes are awesome toys. I know that my mx experience benefited my snowmobiling greatly in my early years and I feel they both benefit snowbiking. knowing how to hold the throttle on and how to position your body for traction or to absorb impact is huge. And just the muscle memory of "when in doubt, power out" or "pin it to win it" which ever flavor you prefer. Basically, the answer is yes!

 

[john6719]

Lol. Pin it to win it! I've bent plenty of a-arms and had a whole lot of fun living by that motto!

I appreciate the comments. Now just need to convince the wife I need a dirt bike so "I can condition myself and improve my riding ability while we're stuck down here in the south" .

 

[mxracer299]

I think a snowboarding background is the most helpful... its a lot like riding a motorized snowboard. I had close to 30 years experience snowmobiling and racing motocross for 15 years and about 10 years on a snowboard before I got on a snowbike and I think the physics of how a bike rides is very similar to a board. Reading snow is important wether it be from skiing, boarding or snowmobiling, doesn't really matter which one. Dirt bike skills have some serious advantages when pounding terrain and jumping though. It really is its known skill set, riding the bikes are easy to start and like anything, you can take it to whatever level you want.

 

[GlennRMK]

I don't think it's mandatory at all.

I only have two full days on a snow bike but I am more comfy on the snowbike in gnarly terrain then a sled with 12 years of mountain riding experience.

I think the only thing prior MX experience is helpful for is being aggressive with the clutch.

However dirt biking is awesome. Love it! I used to just be a sledder and got really into dirt bikes about 4 years ago. Now I end up riding dirt twice as much as snow. I am just a trail rider but ridden a home brew track a few times and can see the appeal of motocross as well. If I didn't have killer trail riding near by I would get into track riding more.

 

[backcountryislife]

I think a snowboarding background is the most helpful... its a lot like riding a motorized snowboard.

Funny, I would NEVER have said that looking ot people ride one, but after riding them, I'd have to agree... the way you make turns is so similar, it really felt like I was on a board.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

Funny, I would NEVER have said that looking ot people ride one, but after riding them, I'd have to agree... the way you make turns is so similar, it really felt like I was on a board.

I hear ya, its definately kinda goofy, but they do move much the same.

It is how I always have explained riding the trail, its like a snowboard, if your not on your edge your one little wobble away from being high sided!

 

[M5-]

For me climbing through the tight trees is most like riding a dirt bike. Climbing in the open is like riding a small sled and long descents are where I use my skiing/snowboarding background I pick much the same line as I would skiing, space permitting.

M5

 

[n16ht5]

My dirt biking skills increased fivefold after my first year sledding. Figuring out how to maneuver a 500lb brick on steep slopes makes you rethink how to use mass and momentum to your advantage. If you can ride a sled you can pick up a Snowbike or dirt bike quickly.